Five pet care startups from across the U.S. and Canada pitched their businesses to pet industry influencers in a bid to win the 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina. Artie presented a unique countertop appliance system used to prepare artisan-inspired, home-cooked Artie Harvest Bowls meals for dogs at the touch of a button. The four other competing companies … [Read more...]
Millennials plan to stick with online shopping even as stores rebound
While brick and mortar popularity seems to be returning, 73 percent of millennial survey participants said they plan to spend the same or more online this year. Twenty seven percent of them plan to spend significantly more online and less in-store this year, according to a survey from ESW. Staying abreast of how people behave in retail is an indication of how animal owners … [Read more...]
Pet-owning households on decline while spending remains strong
Richard Kestenbaum shares he was shocked with numbers from the APPA summary of its annual report on pet ownership that shows a decline in pet households. The percentage of households with pets declined from 70 percent in 2021 to 66 percent in 2022. In contrast to the households decline, the dollars spent on pets in 2022 were up 10.8 percent over 2021. Recent reports from Chewy … [Read more...]
Gene-edited pigs another tool in PRRS fight
Minnesota-based Acceligen announced in late February that the company is using protein modifications developed by Kansas State University to breed pigs that are naturally resistant to PRRS. This advancement is another tool in producers’ toolbox. One cannot disregard the tools of tight biosecurity, filtration and more in the fight against PRRS and other viral infections that can … [Read more...]
Soft tissue therapy opening new doors in equine wellness (video)
Soft tissue therapy is proving to be a powerful tool in the fight for animal wellness. It is increasingly becoming an important part of the conversation about how to care for horses and help them reach their full potential. Well-known for his viral TikTok videos, Christian Langeder explains how massage and other soft tissue treatments can help horses feel better physically … [Read more...]
Unraveling the mysteries of recurrent colic
While scientists are starting to get a better handle on recurrent colic and recognize new aspects of its multifaceted complexity, it requires a team approach to manage it. Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, discusses causes, prevention and treatment of this painful and challenging condition that sometimes ends with euthanasia. Source: The Horse, March 21, 2023. … [Read more...]
Protein quality of freeze-dried foods
Linda Case shares the results of a published study seeking to determine if freeze-dry processing results in reduced nutrient damage. She notes the study uniquely compares processing temperature and clarifies the products studied were from one manufacturer. Measuring reactive lysine, this study found that the amino acids in three forms of a freeze-dried food were highly … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club back in action
Sponsored Content The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets announce three new events. The conversations will be lively. See the links below. TBC: Groomers and veterinarians: Can they co-exist? April 19 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT on Zoom. Register here <Link> TBC Pets: Let’s talk about all the creepy crawlies on pets March 30, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDY … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 23, 2023
Human-animal bond during crisis, culturing proteins for sustainability, blogging tips, more pet households than households with children in America, toxic recreational drugs, ChatGPT, franchisee is a first and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 23, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinarians and the pet food industry: Building bridges
Includes Commercial Content Strengthening the relationship and communication between the veterinary space and the pet food industry is a win for everyone, writes Lindsay Beaton. The challenge is to ensure veterinarians and veterinary technicians have relevant tools that support the nutrition discussions with clients. Beaton shares some of what companies are doing to bridge … [Read more...]
DVM answers questions about FDA antibiotic prescription requirement
This article by Craig Payne, DVM, MS, is a good one to share with livestock producers, backyard poultry and goat owners, horse owners and beekeepers to explain the changes in how antibiotics can be accessed after June 11th. Payne answers a few questions producers may have about the latest antibiotic guidance from the FDA. The final phase of FDA’s implementation of the … [Read more...]
Key trends driving veterinary care’s future
Bret Schiller shares three trends he believes will continue to drive the future of the veterinary care segment. It is critical veterinary hospitals, clinics, and offices understand the issues and opportunities, and most importantly, how to adapt their practices to ensure continued success.” Bret Schiller Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 17, 2023. Link. Schiller says … [Read more...]
Impacts of commingling preconditioned and auction-derived beef calves with BRD
Commentary Cattle science continues to study ways to decrease morbidity, mortality and reduce use of antiinfectives as cattle move around the country. The study referenced reinforces the value of preconditioning and addresses the effects of comingling auction-derived calves with the preconditioned ones. Preconditioning reduced BRD and antimicrobial use in the feedlot, in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 9th AHD Bulletin – Pet owners feeling the sting of inflation. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. New York City rats can catch the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, study finds Source: CNN, March 9, … [Read more...]
What veterinarians were talking about at AASV
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting is an important event for swine practitioners and the swine industry. The swine health topics discussed at the March 7 meeting included biosecurity, African swine fever, traceability, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and more, writes Jennifer Shrike. She provides an overview of the information speakers … [Read more...]
Fighting foot funk
Heather Smith Thomas shares the importance of regular hoof care. Mud and moisture can soften and impair the hoof’s structural integrity, making it vulnerable to hoof infections like thrush, white line disease and abscesses she says. Source: The Horse, March 13, 2023. Link. Keeping the hoof clean and dry is important, rather than just using various hoof-strengthening paints … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 13, 2023
Safety tips for traveling with pets, increasing demand for pet-friendly workplaces, types of YouTube videos that grow business, more legislation limiting retail pet sales, trends in pet nutrition and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Association for Veterinary Informatics requesting survey input
The Association for Veterinary Informatics is seeking feedback from stakeholders and interested parties with a vested interest in sharing and creating common data standards within the veterinary profession. The Interoperability Committee of the AVI will be facilitating and promoting the development of standards, protocols and implementations that improve the interchange, … [Read more...]
Social media management in 1 to 3 hours per week
Cheyanne Flerx took on the job of social media in addition to her duties as a veterinary assistant. She shares a few tips to help work within a limited time frame. Social media doesn't have to be a chore . . . but it does take planning ahead.” Source: AAHA NEWStat, February 23, 2023. Link. Flerx’s basic tips are: Plan ahead and be proactive Work in task batches … [Read more...]
The modern pet telehealth industry is improving veterinary practices
Vetster’s Cerys Goodall writes about the benefits and opportunities for veterinary telehealth in the article linked here. For veterinary teams who have yet to fully use telehealth, it makes a good backdrop for a team discussion. Goodall says telehealth provides unique solutions for consumers and veterinarians while filling in the gaps of in-person clinics. She adds that … [Read more...]
How (and why) social media is affecting healthcare providers
This article discusses the evolution of online communities for medical information sharing, their credibility and trends among healthcare practitioners. For the first time, data from a recent survey showed that content from social media influences human practitioners' perceptions and prescribing behavior. This trend in human medicine raises concerns, as well as exposes … [Read more...]
Last-mile delivery race is a losing proposition
Commentary The Forbes article linked here provides context for animal health pros as our industry deals with growing resupply costs while holding margins in line to service animal owners. By land or drone, the retail industry is waging big money on last-mile delivery timelines. The prospect of a return on investment seems murky at best, shares Greg Petro. He describes the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 2nd AHD Bulletin – Vet Watch Insight Report. 8.5 percent YTD practice revenue growth, other improvements. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. 10 most popular articles of 2022 from HBR’s Working Knowledge … [Read more...]
Properly test water sources before turnout
Producers need to check water sources for total dissolved solids and levels of sulfates, pH and nitrates before turning cattle out this spring. Routine testing is advised as water quality fluctuates throughout the growing season. Drifting snow and topsoil during winter also affect water quality. Low-quality water can reduce animal health and productivity, while high-quality … [Read more...]
Camel cloning is big business in Dubai
Fascinating! Nisar Ahmad Wani, scientific director at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai, first cloned a camel in 2009. Now he and his team research and develop new cloning techniques and maintain cell banks to produce dozens of cloned dromedary camel calves each year. Source: CNN, March 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Top 50 best dog poop bags, plus a pollution reality
Commercial Content Included Picking the right dog waste bags is vital. Without the right bag to prevent pollution, non-biodegradable and non-environmentally friendly poop bags can create even more issues. America's 83 million pet dogs produce some 10.6 million tons of poop every year.” – OnEarth.org Source: Top Dog Tips, January 5, 2023. Link. There are 23 million coliform … [Read more...]
Pet toxicology experts release state-specific top 20 toxins list in new Toxin Trends
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month. Using five years of proprietary call data, Pet Poison Helpline released the next version of Toxin Trends. This online resource helps consumers and veterinary professionals research harmful and potentially deadly toxins in their area. Source: CISION, March 1, 2023. Link. We wanted to share our proprietary data to help educate pet lovers … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 6, 2023
Mars study of CBD safety and efficacy, Hootsuite tips, the search for ecofriendly products, could startups reduce pet care costs, Mars’ investment in pet tech, safeguarding against scammers and cybercrime and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Your success will be determined by 3 things
Our recent post on slowing down to write better emails <Link> received a fair amount of attention. In the article linked below, Justin Bariso shares parts of a compelling lecture given by the late MIT professor Patrick Winston who asserted no one should go through life without being armed with the ability to properly communicate. Your success in life will be determined … [Read more...]
Digital upskilling is no longer optional
Citing results from a PwC Pulse survey, Diane Youden discusses the need for upskilling among current employees. Only 28 percent of domestic workers reported upskilling initiatives as something their business was pursuing, compared to 40 percent of global respondents. Thirty nine percent of respondents are concerned their employers aren’t providing enough digital and … [Read more...]